Students are once again noticing that their wallets are getting lighter as gasoline prices continue to soar. The average price of a gallon of gas crossed into $4 territory last week, and quite a few of them are feeling the strain.
Many are driving shorter distances, eliminating trips and in some cases, looking for a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
“It makes me just want to sell my truck and get a car,” Fresno State student Anthony Velasquez said.
Those who commute often find themselves spending hundreds of dollars a month on gas just to get to school.
Is there anything that can be done to alleviate the situation? Nursing major Chelsie Grossman has a suggestion.
“Maybe look to carpooling rather than driving two separate cars,” Grossman said. “Don’t forget things at home.”
Marketing major Chris Arnold says he thinks about the expense when he’s driving.
“I’ll find places closer to home to go to, even though I may not like them as much,” Arnold said. “I like to go snow skiing, but I haven’t been because of the gas costs.”
At the southeast corner of Shaw and Willow Avenues in Clovis, University Market-Union 76 employee Joey Benjamin has seen a sense of frugality emerge in many of his customers.
“People stopped throwing down a 20,” Benjamin said. “Now they only buy 10 or 15 dollars worth.”
With no end in sight for these skyrocketing prices, local transit is an option. Would some Fresno State students consider hopping aboard a Fresno Area Express bus? The fare is just $1.25 each way.
“Never,” political science major Anthony Avila said. “I may drive shorter distances, but there’s no way I’d take a bus.”
Public administration major Paul Myers would take the bus only as a last resort.
“It would have to get to the point where I couldn’t find a friend to ride with,” Myers said. “Or maybe if it gets to $7 a gallon.”
There are ways to conserve gas, like buying a larger amount of food when one goes to the grocery store, so trips can be reduced.
Replacing worn out spark plugs can also be beneficial. According to the National Car Care Council, worn spark plugs can cost you up to 2 mpg in fuel economy.
Also, investing in a new gas cap can help keep your hard-earned money in your wallet. A faulty cap could cost motorists more than $50 a year due to evaporation. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, too.
AAA offers help to motorists who want save money on gas. Their website, www.csaa.com, provides gas price tools for your wireless phone as well as online, tips on conserving gas and information on alternative fuels and commuting options.
Still upset? There is a web site titled “I Hate Gas Prices,” to where enraged drivers can go and vent their frustrations.
Philosotroll • Apr 7, 2011 at 2:05 pm
I can say (as one of the CSUF students who doesn’t own a car and who takes FAX regularly) that there’s good reason not to take FAX. The public transit system in Fresno is just terrible. I realize that the sprawl of the city makes implementing good public transit more difficult, but it’s really unacceptably bad here.
I don’t mind the high gas price as much as my fellow students do, but I understand that it is expensive to drop a tenth of a paycheck at the tank every time they fill up. I’d love it if the city of Fresno would actually put some effort into making FAX a practical alternative, but at the moment, it’s not.
Oren Schmidt • Apr 6, 2011 at 5:25 am
Maybe our government needs to rethink it’s energy policy and allow companies to drill for oil and natural gas here instead of purchasing energy from volatile coutries in unfriendly parts for the world. That is the solution to the bulk of the problem, that is a real “economic stimulus!”
Anonymous • Apr 5, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Why do students complain about gas prices as compared to taking the city bus. Heck I always knew every college student at Fresno State was rich. If they can afford a 70 dollar a month iphone bill they can afford 5 dollars a gallon for gas!
Daniel Chavez • Apr 6, 2011 at 7:44 pm
i no right but thats what makes it so dumb they complain about almost everything but thats the cost if they want to own a car right or wrong?????